Only 2% of Pro's make money?

[wontons]

One of my friends that has been in the poker scene for a long time says that only 2% of the regular players actually turn a profit at the end of the year. Referring to players in 2-5nl , 5-10nl. Does anyone agree with this statement?

[Patrick del Poker Grande]

There's a BIG difference between "regular player" and "pro". Which is it?

[wontons]

I believe he was referring to those who "try" to earn a living through playing poker. Not the regulars who just have alot of time on there hands and enjoy the poker scene.

[TStoneMBD]

your friend must have just created a number out of thin air, and its a number that is absurdly inaccurate.

the consensus is that about 10% of poker players are winning players with the current rake setup. if there wasnt a rake then about 30% of players would be winning.

therefore, people who attempt to go pro should excede the 10% bar.

[FatalError]

~5% of people that have ever played poker are long term winners

100% of pros are winners... if you lose you're not a pro, at least as far as the IRS is concerned

[Bulldog]

[ QUOTE ]
if there wasnt a rake then about 30% of players would be winning.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm having trouble with this.

[mmmmmbrother]

if all games were heads up then if you were better than 50% of all players you would be a winning player. with 10 people in a game, i think the co would be around 30%

[betgo]

I would guess that over 90% of pros make a profit on the year. If you are not making money, you are by definition not a pro.

[lapoker17]

The qualifier of 2-5 NL and 5-10 NL probably skews this a lot - I don't know any pros who regularly play in games that small.

[meow_meow]

[ QUOTE ]
if all games were heads up then if you were better than 50% of all players you would be a winning player. with 10 people in a game, i think the co would be around 30%

[/ QUOTE ]

this is sooooo wrong in soooo many ways.
In fact, this would only be true if two conditions were met: 1. no rake. 2. everyone always played the same opponent.